We all make assumptions. They undergird everything we say and do. We drive when the light turns green because we assume that everyone at the cross street will stop for a red light. We get to work on time because we assume that we will be punished for being late. Or we show up late because we assume that we can get away with it. Usually, we don’t really think about those assumptions—they are often subconscious. This post really challenges readers to think about the assumptions that they have. When you are in a conflict with someone else, be careful about the assumptions that you make about the other person’s motives or goals. When you feel like the boss is breathing down your neck, be careful about your assumptions. When you feel like your employees are not trying hard enough or are not performing at their potential, be careful about your own assumptions. I wonder how much of a workplace would be better if we could reflect on our own assumptions.
Filed under: Miscommunications, Uncategorized | Tagged: assigning blame, Assumptions, Attributions, Caution in the Workplace
